Charles Dickens

(1812-70) an English writer of novels who combined great writing with the ability to write popular stories full of interesting characters, such as Scrooge, Fagin and the Artful Dodger. His many books are mostly about life in Victorian England and often describe the harsh conditions in which poor people lived. His early novels, which include Pickwick Papers and Oliver Twist, were written in parts for magazines published each week or each month. His later books include David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations.